Suspect arrested in two armed robberies

The Cocopah Police Department has arrested a suspect wanted in connection to two armed robberies that were committed within 15 minutes of one another early Monday morning in Yuma.

According to the Yuma Police Department, the first robbery happened at about 12:24 a.m. at the Ramada Inn, 300 E. 32nd St. and the second was reported at about 12:38 a.m. at the Chevron at 2491 W. 16th St., about four miles away.

In both robberies, the suspect was described as a short male wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, camouflaged shorts, black shoes and a black bandanna covering his face. The suspect reportedly brandished a gun in both robberies and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

A white Ford Mustang was seen leaving the area following both robberies.

Sgt. Leanne Worthen, of the Yuma Police Department, said officers from the Cocopah Police Department located a person and a vehicle matching the descriptions from the robberies about two and a half hours later at the Cocopah Casino at about 3 a.m.

She said after questioning the suspect the officers placed him under arrest. The suspect has since been identified as 24-year-old Vicente Dominguez.

“We had him in custody within a couple of hours,” Worthen said.

Dominguez made his initial appearance in Yuma Justice Court Tuesday morning. He was informed by the judge that he had two cases against him, both alleging that he committed two separate acts of armed robbery with a deadly weapon. He is scheduled to return to court on Thursday at 1 p.m., at which time he will be informed if any charges have been filed against him.

He is currently being held on a combined bond of $550,000.

Anybody with information about these cases is encouraged to call the Yuma Police Department at 373-4700 or 78-Crime.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.